County supervisors discuss building bridges between communities

When RidgePac, the Ridgecrest Chamber Commerce's political action committee, hosted two county Supervisors on Wednesday at Desert Valleys Credit Union, the goal was to establish a stronger bridge between two parts of Kern County.

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By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 11, 2013 at 1:37 PM

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 11, 2013 at 1:37 PM

When RidgePac, the Ridgecrest Chamber Commerce's political action committee, hosted two county Supervisors on Wednesday at Desert Valleys Credit Union, the goal was to establish a stronger bridge between two parts of Kern County.

First District Supervisor Mick Gleason and Third District Supervisor Mike Maggard, who represents the greater Bakersfield area, stood shoulder-to-shoulder to emphasize that motto.

Chamber CEO and President Nathan Ahle stressed that issue before the supervisors engaged the community members present Wednesday night.

"The reason we wanted to have this event is because we are the third largest city in Kern County," Ahle said.

Ahle used the story of when he first met his wife Aimee as an example.

"I married a girl from Bakersfield and when I met her, she said 'You live in Ridgecrest? Well, what county is that in? It's two hours away and in the same county?'" Ahle said. "I think there are a lot of people that don't realize that Ridgecrest is on the other side of the mountain and don't realize we are here."

Gleason, in his first term as supervisor, took off running with the subject.

"We don't get The Bakersfield Californian out here, nor do we get Bakersfield television or radio out here," Gleason said, as an example of Ridgecrest's isolation from the rest of the county.

"There is a disconnect between Bakersfield and Ridgecrest," Gleason said. "It is understandable because of the geography and different economic drivers, but that doesn't mean we should sit back and not improve that relationship."

Gleason said that while Ridgecrest prided itself on being the "secret city" in the desert, "those days are in the past" and it should look forward.

"We need to be more and more part of a great county doing great things," Gleason said.

Maggard, who chairs the Kern County Board of Supervisors for 2013 and 2014, said he had much in common with the people in Ridgecrest despite his distance from the city. He said like many living in Ridgecrest, he came from a military background and held a business-like mentality from his career as a businessman and certified public accountant.

"Because of what I have done for a living as a CPA, it has been my job to help people make financial decisions and develop businesses — that means growing jobs and making dreams come true. Maggard said. "I believe the people here are interested in the same thing."

Maggard added that job growth is one common goal that all areas of Kern County share.

He added that a plan must be in place by organizations to help navigate whatever state or federal boundaries are in place in order to help stimulate job growth.

"Kern County is the 14th fastest growing economy in the United States, and that is because we are business friendly and make things happen," Maggard said. "I think that concept has to permeate every step that is along the way to reach an end goal of growing jobs."

Page 2 of 2 - Leadership Program

Gleason touched on another way to build bridges between Ridgecrest and the Bakersfield and San Joaquin Valley parts of Kern County — by adopting a program that he said works well in Bakersfield.

Gleason said that an idea is germinating about the adoption of a leadership program specific to Ridgecrest.

"It's going to be small and focused, and will get a few people into a curriculum designed for Ridgecrest," Gleason said. "We're going to start growing our own, and this program will be moving those people from business to business, understanding what the Navy and the hospital does, and giving presentations."

Gleason said it would be a nine-month program, at the end of which people would develop a program that contributes to the community.

Maggard chimed in by saying that a leadership program does well for any community.

"That is a great program to help develop leadership," Maggard said. Maggard added that he was a graduate of the first Leadership Bakersfield program. "Bakersfield is a place that if you work hard and make connections, you can make things happen. I believe that every one of those outlets is available in Ridgecrest and a Leadership Ridgecrest program can equip people with the right skills."

Maggard added that leadership programs, especially those that add a second extension to include the whole Central Valley, helped form a strong network of communication.

"What is essential in the Central Valley — and I include Ridgecrest as part of the Central Valley — is that we must all speak with one voice or we always be trumped by those to the north or to the south of us who always hold more votes," Maggard said.